The dynamic expression of YAP is essential for the development of male germ cells derived from human embryonic stem cells.

YAP plays a vital role in controlling growth and differentiation in various cell lineages. Although the expression of YAP in mice testicular and spermatogenic cells suggests its role in mammalian spermatogenesis, the role of YAP in the development of human male germ cells has not yet been determined. Using an in vitro model and a gene editing approach, we generated human spermatogonia stem cell-like cells (hSSLCs) from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and investigated the role of YAP in human spermatogenesis.

Generation of a human iPSC cell line (MUSIi017-A) from a donor with O negative blood type.

The Rh-negative type O blood group (O Rh-) is considered a universal donor for emergency blood transfusions. Due to the constant shortage of this rare blood group, the production of blood cells from iPSCs derived from the O Rh- donor could potentially serve as a limitless blood source for transfusions. In this report, we establish a MUSIi017-A iPSC line from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a healthy donor with the O Rh- blood group.

Role of YAP in hematopoietic differentiation and erythroid lineage specification of human-induced pluripotent stem cells.

Background: In vitro production of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) provides opportunities for fundamental research, disease modeling, and large-scale production of HLA-matched HSPCs for therapeutic applications. However, a comprehensive understanding of the signaling mechanisms that regulate human hematopoiesis is needed to develop a more effective procedure for deriving HSPCs from hiPSCs.

Methods: In this study, we investigate the role of YAP during the hematopoietic differentiation of hiPSCs to HSPCs and erythrocytes using the isogenic YAP-overexpressing (YAP-S5A) and YAP-depleting (YAP-KD) hiPSCs to eliminate the effects of a genetic background variation.

Derivation of MUSIi016-A iPSCs from peripheral blood with blood type O Rh positive.

MUSIi016-A, a human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC), generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a healthy blood group O Rh positive donor was reprogrammed using Sendai viral vectors containing Yamanaka's factors. MUSIi016-A iPSC showed pluripotent stem cell characteristics, highly expressed pluripotent markers, and a capacity to differentiate into all three embryonic cell lineages. This iPSC can be used as a model for the generation of blood cells in vitro.

CRISPR/Cas9 mediated approach to generate YAP-depleted human embryonic stem cell line (MUSIe002-A-1).

Yes-associated protein (YAP), an important effector protein of the Hippo signaling pathway, acts as a molecular switch in controlling cell proliferation and apoptosis. In this study, a YAP-targeted isogenic sub-clone of the MUSIe002-A was generated, designated as MUSIe002-A-1. The MUSIe002-1 cell line had normal pluripotent stem cell characteristics and karyotype.

Production and bioactivities of nanoparticulated and ultrasonic-degraded levan generated by Erwinia tasmaniensis levansucrase in human osteosarcoma cells.

Levan is a bioactive polysaccharide that can be synthesized by various microorganisms. In this study, the physicochemical properties and bioactivity of levan synthesized by recombinant levansucrase from Erwinia tasmaniensis were investigated. The synthesis conditions, including the enzyme concentration, substrate concentration, and temperature, were optimized.

Generation of a serine/threonine-protein kinase LATS1 gene-edited iPSC MUSIi012-A-3.

In mammals, there are a number of kinases, including serine/threonine-protein kinase LATS1, that act as a core kinase of the Hippo pathway and that negatively regulate the Hippo effector protein YAP and its paralog TAZ. Using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, we established a stable LATS1 knockdown (LATS1-KD) iPSC from the MUSIi012-A cell line. The LATS1-KD iPSC MUSIi012-A-3 that was developed maintained both the normal karyotype and the pluripotent phenotype, and retained the ability to differentiate into all three embryonic germ layers.

Effect of YAP/TAZ on megakaryocyte differentiation and platelet production.

Platelet transfusion is required for life-threatening thrombocytopenic bleeding, and single donor platelet concentrate is the ideal transfusion product. However, due to the inadequate number of donors that can donate a large volume of platelets, in vitro platelets production could be an alternative. We developed an in vitro production system designed to increase the platelet production yield from cultured cells.

YAP-depleted iPSC MUSIi012-A-2 maintained all normal stem cell characteristics.

Yes-associated protein (YAP) is an important transcriptional coactivator in the Hippo signaling pathway. Using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, we established a stable YAP-knockdown (YAP-KD) induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) from the MUSIi012-A cell line. The YAP-KD iPSC MUSIi012-A-2 maintained the pluripotent phenotype, the ability to differentiate into all three embryonic germ layers, and it maintained the normal karyotype.

YAP as a key regulator of adipo-osteogenic differentiation in human MSCs.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells that are able to differentiate into several cell types, including cartilage, fat, and bone. As a common progenitor, MSC differentiation has to be tightly regulated to maintain the balance of their differentiation commitment. It has been reported that the decision process of MSCs into fat and bone cells is competing and reciprocal.

Generation of a WWTR1 mutation induced pluripotent stem cell line, MUSIi012-A-1, using CRISPR/Cas9.

WWTR1 or TAZ (WWTR1/TAZ) is a transcriptional coactivator that acts as a downstream regulatory target in the Hippo signaling pathway, which plays a pivotal role in regulating cell proliferation and anti-apoptosis. It has been shown in other cell types that WWTR1/TAZ plays a redundant role to its homolog YAP1. Using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, we established the WWTR1/TAZ-KO cell line, which features homozygous deletion of WWTR1 gene from human iPSCs.

Derivation of a MUSIi012-A iPSCs from mobilized peripheral blood stem cells.

CD34 cells were isolated from mobilized peripheral blood of a healthy donor and reprogrammed by nucleofection with episomal plasmids carrying l-MYC, LIN28, OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, EBNA-1, and shRNA against p53. The obtained MUSIi012-A cell line maintained the pluripotent phenotype, the ability to differentiate into all three germ layers, and a normal karyotype.

Concurrent suppression of NF-κB, p38 MAPK and reactive oxygen species formation underlies the effect of a novel compound isolated from Curcuma comosa Roxb. in LPS-activated microglia.

Objective: We investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of (3S)-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-7-phenyl-(6E)-6-hepten-3-ol, also known as compound 092, isolated from Curcuma comosa Roxb on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated highly aggressive proliferating immortalized (HAPI) microglial cell lines.

Method: Nitric oxide (NO) production was determined using the Griess reaction, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA. Western blotting was used to determine the levels of pro-inflammatory mediators and their related upstream proteins.

The Hippo pathway regulates human megakaryocytic differentiation.

The Hippo pathway is involved in several biological processes in both flies and mammals. Recent studies have shown that the Hippo pathway regulates Drosophila's haematopoiesis; however, understanding of its role in mammalian haematopoiesis is still limited. In flies, deletion of the Hippo component gene, Warts, affects crystal cell differentiation.